The UTEP soccer team will take aim at knocking off its second ranked foe of the season as it battles No. 25 Colorado College on “Senior Night” at 7 p.m. on Saturday at University Field.

Prior to the match, the Miners will recognize their five outstanding seniors: Melissa Abraham, Ashleigh Decker, Leslie Platz, Susie Quezada and Kelli Yeamans.

They have already secured the spot as the winningest class in school history by winning 57 games. Overall, the Miners are 57-21-2 in their time. The Orange and Blue have dominated in those 80 matches, scoring 211 goals compared to the opposition’s 93 tallies.

UTEP enters the tilt against the Tigers at 13-4 (4-2 in C-USA). The Miners are flying high, as they carry a four-game winning streak into the match. Additionally, the Orange and Blue will attempt to wrap up the home slate at a perfect 10-0.

The Miners have played splendidly throughout the entire 2006 campaign. Their offense leads C-USA and ranks 11th in the nation, while defensively, the UTEP goalkeepers have teamed up to post a save percentage of .853. That figure checks in as the 29th best in the country.

The Orange and Blue have out-scored the opposition by a mind-boggling figure of 49-16. What makes that feat even more impressive is how balanced the offense has been fro the ladies from the Sun City. Twelve different players have scored goals, including 10 who have at least two tallies.

For its efforts, UTEP is ranked 15th in the NCAA Central Region by SoccerBuzz, while it is receiving votes in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s top-10 central region squads.

In addition to the exciting soccer, there are plenty of promotions which will take place during the game. The UTEP marketing staff will announce the winner of the family of four which will be featured in a men’s basketball commercial, in addition to the lucky fan who will receive lunch with their favorite players.

Moreover, cheer cards and thundersticks will be given away, while there will be a post-contest autograph session. Fans can also sign up at the UTEP athletics gazebo upon entering for a chance to win the ultimate fan pack (autographed UTEP soccer jersey, soccer ball and media guide).

UTEP Senior Spotlights:

Melissa Abraham: Melissa Abraham joined the Miners prior to the 2005 season as a transfer from the University of Ottawa, and she has had a tremendous impact in her two years in the Sun City. She has started all 42 matches of her career, scoring 22 times while also registering seven assists. The 22 tallies ranks eighth all time in program annals while her 51 points place Abraham ninth in school history. She has been a clutch performer, as five of her goals have served as gamewinners.

Ashleigh Decker: No player in the 11-year history has played more minutes (6632) or appeared in more games (80) than Ashleigh Decker. A native of Midland, Texas, Decker joined UTEP in 2003. She has started every game throughout her career and has been a key component in its rise to one of the elite teams in the region. Decker is one of the co-captains on the squad and a leader of the defense. She has also joined the fun offensively, registering two goals and 11 assists. The 11 helpers place Decker ninth all-time in school history.

Leslie Platz: A native of Allen, Texas, Leslie Platz has been an important piece of the puzzle in UTEP’s success the past four seasons. Platz has appeared in 73 games while playing 3469 minutes. She ranks ninth and 10, respectively, in school history in those categories. Platz has scored three goals and dished out six assists. None of her goals were bigger than her tally to send UTEP past Texas, 3-2, last season in the opening-round of the NCAA Tournament.

Susie Quezada: El Paso’s own, Susie Quezada, has placed a vital role in the rise of her hometown program. Quezada has been appeared in 52 matches, 40 of which have been starts. Quezada has been counted on as a lock-down defender, while she has also contributed offensively with a trio of assists. Two of those helpers have come during this season. Quezada has also brought exposure for the program on an international level, as she played with the Mexican National Team last offseason.

Kelli Yeamans: A co-captain on the squad and a leader of the defense, Kelli Yeamans has played 61 games with the Miners. Sixty of those were starts, as she has been a fixture in the lineup since arriving on campus in 2003. Yeamans has earned 4418 minutes of playing time, the fourth-highest figure in school history. She has scored eight times, while racking up a quartet of assists. Yeamans has been a versatile player in her time in the Sun City, playing both in the midfield and on the back line.